Garage door operator having thumbprint identification system

ABSTRACT

A movable barrier operator having thumbprint identification in either a remote radio frequency transmitter, or a receiver/barrier operator system or both is provided. A control circuit with a non-volatile memory receives thumbprint information from a fingerprint detector device and stores the information, identifying an authorized user. On subsequent operation of the fingerprint detector, a fingerprint data set is received in the control circuit and an attempt is made to match the incoming data with previously stored data thus establishing the identify of the user according to highly reliable biometric principles. As an option, a variety of different actions can be taken based upon the perceived identity of a particular individual, as well as the type of device communicating with the receiver/barrier operator.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/172,677, filed Dec. 20, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates, in general, to movable barrier operators and, inparticular, to garage door operators having systems for receiving datatransmissions that are encoded or encrypted to identify one or moreauthorized users, optionally without regard to the particulartransmitter employed.

2. Description of the Related Art

The garage door of many homes is controlled by a garage door openingsystem which protects against unwanted uses by means of electronicallytransmitted and received access codes. The access code systems nowavailable provide a sufficient level of security so that for manyhomeowners the garage door is one of the primary means of entering andexiting the house. Home convenience and protection equipment such asgarage door operators, lighting systems and security systems are comingto be viewed as necessities and not merely luxuries. These systems areoften controlled by transmitters providing a radio frequency signalcarrying coded information. For security, the coded information must bekept secret and can, for example, be taken from a large number ofpossible codes. For convenience, the transmitters and receivers theycontrol should be simple to program.

Various controller systems have been proposed and/or manufactured usingdigital radio control and digital system processing, and allowing codesto be established by the user or randomly generated. In one system, aunique code is established at the transmitter using a number oftwo-position switches. The remote receiver also has a like number ofswitches to set the established code. For further information on thestructure and operation of such a system, reference may be made to U.S.Pat. No. 29,525 to Willmott. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,549 to Ledenbach etal., the receiver recognizes a received signal from a particulartransmitter by measuring and comparing relative durations of the pulseand non-pulse time intervals. Other systems have been proposed which donot require the user to set the code by operating switches on thetransmitter and receiver. In one system, a random code generator at thereceiver establishes the code. The new code is placed in the memory of atransmitter by holding the transmitter in proximity to the receiverwhich flashes the established code by means of a light emitting diode toa phototransistor in the transmitter. In another system, eachtransmitter has its own unique code. The receiver can store up to fiveunique codes. Should a transmitter be lost or stolen, the code for thattransmitter can easily be removed from the memory of the receiver. Forfurther information concerning the structure and operation of suchsystems, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,980 to Liotine etal., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,118 to Heitschel et al., respectively.

Garage door operators have become more sophisticated over the years,providing users with increased convenience and security. However,further improvements are sought, such as ease of establishing theidentity to the user and be granted access by either the receiver ortransmitter component of a garage door operating system. Improvementsfor increasing the ease with which a user can generate data needed toset up a transmitter or receiver are continuously being sought. Furtheradvantages have been sought in improving the ease with which a user cangenerate data identifying the user as one authorized to operate atransmitter, a receiver, or other components of a garage door operatorcontrol system. Further, it is desirable that the data developed by theuser be suitable for encoding in a practical manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates in general to garage door operator systems forcontrolling an actuator in response to receiving an authorized andespecially a coded authorized transmission. The apparatus includes afingerprint device which identifies an individual as being authorized totransmit a coded signal which, when detected by a receiver within radiofrequency range, will decode the transmitter signal, recognizing thecode and energizing the receiver so as to actuate a garage dooroperator.

A need exists for a door operator system with enhanced security featureswhich automatically limits access to authorized users, thereby providingprotection to the homeowner if the garage door transmitter should becomelost or stolen. In order to be commercially successful, such systemsmust not have their convenience or usefulness degraded as by requiringthe homeowner to perform lengthy and difficult setup procedures.

This need is met and an advance in the art is achieved with the presentinvention, in which a garage door transmitter/actuating receiver systemstores both transmitter-specific and thumbprint or other fingerprintidentification data for use by the garage door actuator and its relatedcontrol system.

In one embodiment, the transmitter responds to received thumbprint dataand activates its transmission output stage only when a receivedthumbprint data set matches a stored thumbprint data set. Thus, thetransmitter is able to provide a high level of security and automaticprotection while requiring a user to merely perform a single “keypress”motion with the thumb. Accordingly, should the transmitter become lostor stolen, any attempt to operate the transmitter by unauthorizedindividual will automatically be ignored with a high degree of security.

With a simple thumbpress, an authorized user causes the control systemassociated with the garage door actuator to receive authorized securitycodes, which may be made specific to a particular user. The actuatorcontrol system responds to received access codes and activates the dooronly when a received code matches a stored valid code.

In one embodiment, a transmitter permits activation of a garage doorcontrol system by transmitting data containing a rolling portion and afixed code portion. The data includes an indication of which authorizeduser initiated transmission, and it is possible to take action uniquelyreserved for that particular individual. For example, in a two carfamily having a multiple car garage, the correct garage door will“automatically” respond to the individual operating the transmitter. Inaddition, only certain members of the household can, via theirthumbprint, be granted access to learning or programming features of agarage door control system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a garage door and operator system embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hand-held transmitter operatingsystem of the garage door operator and system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a wall-mounted transmitter operatingsystem of the garage door operator and system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a barrier operator system according toprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a transmitter according to principlesof the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a LEARN system for the barrier operatorof FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows the fingerprint device of FIG. 4 in greater detail;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the receiver of FIG. 4 in greaterdetail;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of another transmitter device according toprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another wall mounted transmitterdevice according to principles of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another barrier operator deviceaccording to principles of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a transmitter device of FIGS. 9-11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a LEARN function of the barrieroperator of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the fingerprint device of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the receiver of FIG. 11 ingreater detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and especially to FIG. 1, a garage dooroperator system embodying the present invention is generally indicatedat 10, and includes a head unit 12 mounted within a garage 14. Morespecifically, the head unit 12 is mounted to the ceiling of the garage14 and includes a rail 18 extending therefrom with a releasable trolley20 attached having an arm 22 extending to a multiple paneled garage door24 positioned for movement along a pair of door rails 26 and 28. Thesystem includes a hand-held transmitter unit 30 adapted to send signalsto an antenna 32 positioned on the head unit 12 and coupled to areceiver incorporated in the head unit 12. An external control pad 34 ispositioned on the outside of the garage having one or more buttons,windows or the like devices thereon and communicates via radio frequencytransmission with antenna 32 located at the head unit 12. A controlmodule 39 is mounted on a wall of the garage. The control module 39 maybe connected to the head unit by a pair of wires, but is preferablyradio-linked via an antenna 39 a. The control module 39 includes a lightswitch 39 b, a lock switch 39 c and a command or LEARN switch 39 d. Aprotective system is employed with an optical emitter 42 connected via apower and signal line 44 to the head unit. An optical detector 46 isconnected via a wire 48 to the head unit 12.

Two embodiments of systems for garage door operator control will bediscussed. These systems include provision for establishing highlyreliable user identity codes with a minimum of effort by the user. Afirst system is shown in FIGS. 1-8, with FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 showingtransmitter and receiver modules employed in the system.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a module (i.e., car or hand-held)transmitter 100 of the type generally identified in FIG. 1 by referencenumeral 30. Transmitter 100 has an input in the form of a conventionalfingerprint device 102 and an output in the form of an antenna 104radiating radio frequency information. Preferably, the data outputtedfrom transmitter 100 is in the form of a sequence of trinary codedigits, including both trinary rolling code digits and trinary fixedcode digits described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,349, thedisclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. The presentinvention can also be employed with less rigorous security systemsemploying, for example, only fixed code data formats.

Data information from the fingerprint device 102 is sent to the controlcircuit 108 which is preferably, but not necessarily, embodied as aspecial purpose integrated circuit. The control circuit 108 outputs datato the radio frequency circuit 106.

The fingerprint device 102 preferably includes a window against which auser's thumb is pressed. The thumbprint is used to provide biometricidentification data unique to the user's anatomy. Although fingerprintdata can be taken from any digit of the user's hand, it is generallypreferred that the biometric identification information employed in thepresent invention be taken from one of the user's thumbs, as thissimplifies the image processing to be performed.

Preferably, the fingerprint device contains a window of conductiverubber and especially rubber impregnated with graphite. The window iscoated with an electroluminescent material which illuminates toemphasize the ridges on the surface of a user's thumb. The illuminatedridge pattern is scanned by an inexpensive CCD camera. A mapping of thethumbprint ridges is stored in temporary memory. The thumbprint imagedata is then digitized according to a predetermined pattern, and athumbprint data set comprising a predetermined number of data points, isextracted. Preferably, the fingerprint device employed is offered forsale by Who? Vision Systems, Inc., a unit of XL Vision, Inc. ofSebastian, Fla. under the designation TACTILESENSE Fingerprint module.

The data points of the sensed thumbprint image are compared againststored sets of thumbprint data resident in a non-volatile memory eitherin the fingerprint device, the transmitter or the received barrieroperator. In the first embodiment, thumbprint data set matching iscarried out in a receiver/barrier operator system 140 to be describedbelow in FIG. 4. This results in a substantially reduced cost for thefingerprint device in that non-volatile memory and circuitry to performcomparison is not required.

The fingerprint device 102 outputs the digitized thumbprint data pointsto the control circuit 108 on the line 110. Preferably, the controlcircuit 108 performs only simple line level and pulse squaring functionson the incoming data from the fingerprint device 102 but does notperform interpretation functions thereon. The output of the controlcircuit 108 is in digital pulse form and is fed to the RF circuit 106.In the preferred embodiment, the information passed through the RFcircuit 106 and radiated by the antenna 104 is preferably of the trinaryrolling code data type having both rolling code and fixed code digits.The information digits in both rolling code and fixed code format aregenerated in the control circuit 18 in the manner described in commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,349, the disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference. It is generally preferred that the controlcircuit 108 combine the aforementioned data with a code indicating thetype of transmitter (i.e., mobile transmitter) radiating the data to areceiver system. If desired, the device code information can alsoinclude unique identifiers, similar to the information afforded by aserial number system.

FIG. 3 shows a wall mounted transmitter system 120. As can be seen bycomparison with FIG. 2, the wall mounted transmitter system 120 has thesame schematic form as the hand-held transmitter system 100, butpreferably includes a device code different from that of other types ofhand-held and other transmitter devices. Wall mounted transmitter 120corresponds to the control device 39, shown in FIG. 1.

Although not described in detail herein, it should be understood thatthe wall-mounted transmitter system 120 can also be employed as akeyless entry system, corresponding to the control pad 34 in FIG. 1,mounted outside of the garage structure. Previously, control devices ofthis type were provided with a number of key switches such as a numerickeypad which a user would manipulate according to a memorized key codesequence. With the present invention, a user's thumbprint is all that isrequired in a single “key press” type of manipulation.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the antenna 104 and the RF circuit 106 arethe same as employed in FIG. 2. The control circuit 124 of the system120 may of two types, one similar to the control circuit 108 describedabove and the other containing the addition of an optional non-volatilememory containing additional information to be transmitted through theRF circuit 106 and radiated from the antenna 104. Preferably, as withthe hand-held transmitter system 100, the wall-mounted transmitter 120sends device identification codes through the RF circuit andtransmitter, identifying the sending unit as a wall-mounted transmittercomponent. If multiple wall-mounted transmitters are operated in thesame vicinity, additional identification codes can be provided toidentify the particular wall-mounted transmitter being activated by auser's thumbprint.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a receiver/barrier operator system, generallyindicated at 140, includes control capability to energize a motor in thehead unit 12 so as to impart an opening or closing movement to themovable barrier such as a gate or the garage door 24. The logicalfunctions preformable by the barrier operator 140 are invoked, using anumber of different transmitter or hard-wired sending devices. Areceiving antenna 144 directs radiated radio frequency information toradio frequency receiver 146 which preferably performs simple pulseforming or other “data cleaning” operations on the received information,sending the “raw” data on the line 148 to the control circuit 150. Ifdesired, the radio frequency receiver 146 can provide a simple“pass-through” of the data directly to the control circuit 150. In thepreferred embodiment, hard-wired sending devices are employed in theLEARN mode of operation.

As mentioned, in the preferred embodiment, the information transmittedand received is in the form of both rolling code and fixed code. Thecontrol circuit 150 performs the necessary interrogation of the data andconfirms if the signal received is authorized with respect to therolling code, according to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,349. Ifthe received data were in a more simple form, for example, solely in afixed code form, the control circuit 150 would perform the necessarydata interrogation to determine if the coded information corresponds tothat of a valid transmitter.

In a second aspect, the control circuit of the barrier processesfingerprint data arranged in the form of a structured thumbprint dataset. As indicated in FIG. 4, control circuit 150 includes non-volatilememory, which is provided for storing previously acquired thumbprintdata sets corresponding to different authorized users. The controlcircuit 150 performs a match-seeking comparison between the incomingthumbprint data set and previously stored or LEARNED thumbprint datasets. If a match is found, and optionally if rolling code authenticationis proven, then a user's request is translated into appropriate controlsignals sent on a line 160 to a motor 162 which in turn imparts anopening or closing motion to the garage door as required. A photo beamsystem with an emitter 42 and a detector 46 send appropriate permissiveor blocking signals on input line 172 to the control module 150. Othertypes of interactive accessories can also be employed with the controlsystem, if desired.

In a further mode of operation, barrier operator system 140 is employedto LEARN (i.e., save a user's thumbprint. In its simplest form, anappropriate LEARN command signal is communicated to control circuit 150instructing the control circuit to receive fingerprint identificationdata on the line 178 and to store the data in non-volatile memory withinthe control circuit. If desired, thumbprint data integrity checks canalso be performed by the control circuit 150 before storing the receivedthumbprint data set. As will be seen in the second embodiment, the LEARNcommand can also be sent by the remote RF-linked transmitters.Preferably, for security purposes, the command to LEARN, i.e., identifyand store in non-volatile memory a thumbprint data set, is communicatedby a hard-wired LEARN button 180 which preferably is in the form of adedicated key switch. In order to store a thumbprint data set for laterrecognition in the barrier operator 140, a user would issue a thumbpressto the fingerprint device 102 while simultaneously pressing the LEARNbutton 180. In this manner, incoming fingerprint data is routed on theline 178 to the LEARN port of the control circuit 150, rather than thefingerprint data input port connected to the line 156. As will be seenherein, the LEARN mode is also employed to store both fingerprint androlling code data as transmitted via RF data signals into thenon-volatile memory of the control circuit.

Before proceeding to a detailed explanation of various operating modesof the garage door operating system, it should be mentioned that thebarrier operator system 140 shown in FIG. 4 can be located in the headunit 12 of FIG. 1, if desired. This may be preferred in certaininstances because of manufacturing and cost control advantages,especially since designs have already been developed providing radioreceiving functions in the head unit, as shown above with reference toFIG. 1. However, with the user authentication provisions associated withthe present invention, and in particular the LEARN mode requiring use ofa fingerprint device dedicated to the barrier operator, it may beconvenient to provide an additional wall-mounted unit. At a minimum, itis anticipated that the fingerprint device 102 and the LEARN button 180be conveniently located in this wall-mounted position, with theremainder of the barrier operator 140 located in the head unit 12 shownin FIG. 1. It is contemplated, in this regard, that the fingerprint datalines 156, 178 and the line connecting LEARN button 180 to the controlcircuit 150 be hard wired, or optionally radio-linked, to the head unit.

Referring now to FIG. 5, operation of either transmitter 100 or 120 isshown in greater detail. While the respective transmitter is energized,the fingerprint window is continuously scanned to detect if the user'sthumb is pressed against the device, as indicated in step 184. Once afinger press is detected, control is transferred to step 186 in whichthe fingerprint data received from fingerprint device 102 is combinedwith the rolling code data in control circuit 108 of FIG. 2 or controlcircuit 124 of FIG. 3. The combined data is then transmitted in step 188as a radio frequency signal, preferably one having a sequence ofmultiply formatted digits. Any conversion of data to the radio frequencyregime is carried out in either the control circuit or the radiofrequency circuit of the transmitter.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the LEARN procedure for the barrier operator ofFIG. 4 will now be described. Beginning with a step 200, the controlcircuit 150 polls an input line 202 to determine if the LEARN switch 180is depressed. Upon detection of a key press at the LEARN switch 180, theLEARN mode is set within control circuit 150 as indicated by step 206and is confirmed in step 208. As indicated above, the present inventionprovides heretofore unattainable convenience by requiring a user to onlyexecute a simple thumbpress to provide the necessary individual datainput to the barrier operator system. In the LEARN mode, the systemexpects a thumbpress at fingerprint device 102 of FIG. 4 (causing a datatransmission therefrom) concurrent with actuation with LEARN switch 180.Accordingly, program control is transferred to a step 210 to confirmthat thumbpress information has been processed by the fingerprint device102 and the output data is being communicated on the line 178 to anappropriate input port of the control circuit 150 (see FIG. 4). Asmentioned above, the present invention also contemplates thatfingerprint data may be transmitted via a radio frequency communicationslink and, in the absence of thumbpress data from the fingerprint device102 in FIG. 4, control is transferred to a step 212 to determine if RFdata is being received by the antenna 144 and the RF receiver 146.

In order to carry out step 212, it is preferred that the control device150 poll the input line 148 during the LEARN operation. If radiofrequency data and thumbpress data are not detected by the controlcircuit 150, control is transferred to a step 216 to determine if a“LEARN mode timer” located within the control circuit 150 has expired.If so, control is transferred to a step 218 to clear the LEARN mode flagpreviously set. Control is then transferred to the step 200, thusrequiring the user to release and re-actuate the LEARN switch 180 toinitiate further processing of the LEARN mode.

If the control circuit 150 detects fingerprint data on the line 178 inthe step 210, control is transferred to the step 222 which directs theincoming fingerprint data on the line 178 to be stored into the nextnon-volatile memory location internal to the control circuit 150. A step222 contains routines to verify that the thumbprint data on the line 178is properly formatted and within a predetermined range of values. As anadded feature, in the step 222, previously stored fingerprint data canbe compared to determine if there is a match with the newly acquiredfingerprint data. Action can then be taken to alert the user as toduplication of data, if desired.

Assuming a thumbpress is not detected in the fingerprint device 102 ofthe barrier operator system shown in FIG. 4, control is transferred tothe step 212, as indicated above. Assuming valid radio frequency data isbeing received on the line 148, control is transferred to the step 226.

As indicated in FIG. 4, it is generally preferred that the two inputlines, 156, 178, be provided between the fingerprint device 102 of FIG.4 and control circuit 150. Although operation of the LEARN procedureshown in FIG. 6 can be accomplished with a single input line 156, it isgenerally preferred for system security purposes, that a separatededicated line 178 be provided for LEARN mode operation.

In a step 226, the incoming RF data signals are interrogated for validformat, it being generally preferred that the incoming coded informationbe provided in multiple portions (e.g., a rolling code portion and afixed code portion) according to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.5,949,349 which, as mentioned, is incorporated as if fully set forthherein.

As previously indicated, in the step 186 (see FIG. 5) the fingerprintdata, i.e., the thumbpress data set, is combined with rolling code data,either the rolling code portion thereof or the fixed code portionthereof. In the step 222 the incoming radio frequency data isdisassembled and after various formatting tests and other verificationprocedures, the thumbprint data set information is identified and storedin the next open volatile memory location internal to the controlcircuit 150. The remaining rolling code data is also stored innon-volatile memory within control circuit 150, either with thedisassembled thumbpress data set, or in a separate memory location.

The LEARN mode is then cleared and program control is transferred to thestep 208 for confirmation. In normal operation, control is thentransferred to the polling step 200.

Turning now to FIG. 7, NORMAL (i.e., non-LEARN) operation of the barrieroperator system 140 of FIG. 4 will now be described. It should beunderstood that the NORMAL operation indicated in FIG. 7 is concurrentlyactive with the LEARN procedure shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly, in a step230 the determination is made if the LEARN mode has been “set”, i.e.,made active. A flag within control circuit 150 is employed for thispurpose. A “true” response in the step 230 indicates that the LEARNswitch 180 has been depressed as indicated in the step 200 (see FIG. 6)and the LEARN mode flag has accordingly been set in the step 206 (alsoshown in FIG. 6). If the LEARN mode has been determined to have been setin the step 230, the LEARN mode flag internal to the control circuit iscontinuously polled until it is determined that the LEARN mode is nolonger active.

Control is then transferred to the step 234 to determine if a user iscarrying out a thumbpress operation. In the step 234 the thumbpressbeing detected can come from a variety of sources, including thefingerprint device in the barrier operator system 140 shown in FIG. 4,the mobile transmitter 100 (either installed in a vehicle or hand held)or the wall mounted transmitter 120 shown in FIG. 3. If the thumbpressis being carried out by an RF transmitter, RF data verification andidentification according to step 226 (see FIG. 6) is carried out withinthe step 234.

A thumbpress detected in the step 234 indicates that a thumbpress dataset is being sent to the barrier operator system 140. In the step 236determination is made as to whether the received fingerprint datamatches, within tolerance limits, one of the LEARNED fingerprint datasets stored in nonvolatile memory in control circuit 150. A match instep 236 indicates that the identity of an authorized user has beenconfirmed with a high level of confidence according to biometricidentification principles. The user's control request is thentransferred to a step 238 to perform an appropriate change in operatorstate internal to the control circuit 150. This in turn triggersinternal routines to send an appropriate control signal on the line 160to the motor 162 to physically carry out the user's request with respectto movement of the garage door. In addition, in a step 238 it ispreferred that a flag be set within the control circuit 150 to ignorethe photobeam systems 42, 46, an optional feature which allows a user to“override” damaged photo beam systems. If desired, a step 238 could bemodified so as to allow the photo beam protectors 42, 46 to continue tooperate autonomously to provide either a permissive signal, an absenceof a blocking signal, or a blocking signal on line 172 to controlcircuit 150.

Control is then transferred to a step 242 to wait until the thumbpressis released from the fingerprint device. According to the preferred modeof a step 242, a user's command, is carried out when thumb pressure isrelieved from the fingerprint device being actuated. If desired, radiofrequency transmitted requests can be made redundant, i.e., set at thetransmitter to repeat a limited predetermined number of times provensufficient to ensure that a properly operating transmitter/receiver setare able to complete the necessary radio frequency communications.Alternatively, data can be continuously transmitted from the radiofrequency transmitter which is remote from the barrier operator system.Control is then transferred to a step 244 which clears the ignoreobstacle detection flag and control is thereafter passed to the pollingstep 230.

As mentioned above, it is contemplated that NORMAL operation of thebarrier operator system can also be carried out at points spaced fromthe transmitter, via remotely transmitted signals. With reference toFIG. 1 the signals can come from a mobile transmitter, either residentwithin a vehicle or hand held, a communication panel located on theoutside of the garage structure or a wall mounted communication panellocated within the garage or house to which the garage is associated.With reference to FIG. 8, operation of the barrier operator/receiversystem 140 of FIG. 4 will now be described.

In a step 250, the incoming line 148 in FIG. 4 is continuously polled todetermine if an RF data signal is being received at the control circuit150. Upon detection that RF data is present on the line 148 and receivedin the control circuit 150, control is transferred to the step 252 toseparate the combined fingerprint data and remainder of the rollingdata. In a step 252 the fingerprint data portion is analyzed todetermine if it matches previous thumbprint data sets stored innon-volatile memory in circuit 150. It is contemplated that, in a step254 the criteria for a match between data sets does not require completeidentity of data but rather contemplates that there is some tolerance,i.e., some degree of non-identity between the newly detected thumbpressdata set and the previously stored thumbpress data set(s). If a match isnot detected in the step 254, control is transferred to the polling step250.

Upon indicating that a satisfactory fingerprint match has been detectedin the step 254, control is transferred to the step 256 where analysisof the incoming data is performed to determine if a satisfactory devicematch has been detected. As mentioned above, it is preferred that thetransmitting devices either hard wired or coupled through radiofrequency communication links include device identification data toindicate at a minimum the type of sending device employed. For example,it may be desirable to carry out different operations when a user islocated within a garage structure rather than a vehicle located on anearby street or driveway. In particular, there has been found a need toprovide emergency “override” features should part of the overall systembecome damaged.

One area of concern has been raised when photo beam obstacle detectorsbecome damaged in a manner such that further physical operation of thegarage door is blocked by the supervising control circuit. It isdesirable in such instances to provide the user with an opportunity whenlocated at a wall-mounted transmitter within the garage to invokecommands to the supervising control circuit while neglecting indicationsof the photo beam protector circuit. An example of this type ofoperation is provided in a step 260, as will be discussed below. Thus,it is frequently necessary to provide additional analysis of theincoming data, and suitable analyses are therefore indicated as beingperformed on the remainder of the incoming “rolling data”, i.e., theremainder of the rolling code data being transmitted. In a step 256,reference is made to “matched LEARNED devices”. The step 256 accordinglycontemplates that each device connected to the overall system beinitialized or “LEARNED” thereby requiring the supervising controlcircuit (herein assumed to be located in the operator barrier/receiversystem 140 of FIG. 4. Once a device has been interrogated andauthenticated by a supervisory control circuit, the required deviceidentification data, or “LEARNED device” data is stored in non-volatilememory for subsequent match-seeking comparisons with incoming data, asmay be required. As mentioned above, the device identity data preferablyincludes at a minimum a pre-arranged code identifying the type of deviceas defined by the system manufacturer. Alternatively, the deviceidentification data can include a code or other information uniquelyidentifying the particular device involved, thus providing informationsimilar to that offered by various serial number systems.

In a step 258 the device type data portion of the rolling data isinterrogated to determine if the device is wall mounted. An example of aparticular wall mounted transmitter device was described above withrespect to FIG. 3. It is assumed that any necessary validation of thedevice type data has been previously carried out in a step 256. If thesending device is determined to be wall mounted, i.e., located internalto the garage structure, the “ignore protector” flag internal to thesupervising control circuit is set in a step 260 and control is thenpassed to a step 262, otherwise control is transferred directly to thestep 262. In the step 262 the validity (and optionally level the ofauthority of the user) is determined with a high degree of confidenceand in the step 262 the user's request is converted into an appropriatechange of state of the operator as determined by control circuit 150with the necessary control signals being sent on the line 160 to themotor 162 (see FIG. 4). In a step 264 further operation is halted untilthe RF data signal has ended. Control is then passed to a step 266 inwhich the ignore obstacle detector flag is cleared and control isthereafter passed to the polling step 250.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-15, a second embodiment of the presentinvention will now be described. One feature of the second embodiment isthat match-seeking comparison operations are carried out at thetransmitter device to determine if incoming fingerprint data is that ofa previously authorized user. Thus, if the transmitter should becomelost or stolen or otherwise fall into unauthorized hands, transmitterfunctions can be immediately blocked.

Referring first to FIG. 9, a mobile transmitter, either vehicle mountedor hand held, is indicated at 500. The transmitter 500 is similar to theaforementioned mobile transmitter 100 except that certain features in acontrol circuit 502 are added to those features described above withrespect to the control circuit 108. Previously learned thumbprint datasets that have been stored are used to identify respective individualusers.

The transmitter 500, unlike the transmitter 100, has a LEARN mode ofoperation in which thumbpress data information is analyzed and, ifvalidly determined in a LEARN mode, is stored in non-volatile memory inthe fingerprint device 504 of the transmitter. The LEARN mode ofoperation for the transmitter will be described in detail with referenceto FIG. 12. Fingerprint device 504 contains circuitry to perform amatch-seeking comparison between incoming thumbpress data informationand previously learned or stored thumbpress data information. The outputon line 110 going to control circuit 502 has a number of differentpossible features. For example, the output of fingerprint device 504 cansimply indicate that a match has occurred, can additionally addinformation as to the current user's identity and, if desired, can alsotransmit the incoming thumbpress data set information to the controlcircuit. Since non-volatile memory is provided in the fingerprint device504, as described above, the control circuit 502 need not be providedwith non-volatile memory if a simpler, less expensive commercialembodiment is desired. However, at times, additional functionality isrequired, and accordingly the control circuit of the transmitter in FIG.9 can be provided with non-volatile memory to perform functions otherthan biometric or thumbprint data matching. For example, in controlcircuit 502, non-volatile memory can be provided to store various datareceived from another control circuit indicating the device type andoptionally the particular device of the transmitter involved, and thiscan be stored with the entire set of fingerprint data transmitted fromthe active fingerprint device 102.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a wall mounted transmitter is generallyindicated at 510 and is similar in certain respects to the transmitter120 described above. Wall mounted transmitter 510 includes a fingerprintdevice 504 which includes non-volatile memory for match-seekingcomparison purposes. Therefore, control circuit 512 need not havenon-volatile memory if a more cost effective commercial embodiment isrequired. The data output of fingerprint device 504 is transmitted tocontrol circuit 512 and, with the addition of any coded information, ispassed to RF circuit 106 for radiated transmission from antenna 104.

As with the transmitter 500, it is preferred that transmitter 510include an identification code indicating the type of transmitter device(i.e., wall mounted as opposed to mobile) and optionally can alsoinclude coded information identifying the unique transmitter deviceemployed (similar to the information provided by a serial numbersystem).

Referring now to FIG. 11, barrier operator system 530 shares similarfeatures with the barrier operator system described above with referenceto FIG. 4. For example, radio frequency signals are accepted by antenna144, operated upon by RF receiver circuit 146 and transmitted to controlcircuit 536 via input line 148. A fingerprint device 504 is connected tocontrol circuit 536 via two input lines, the first input line 156 beingreserved for NORMAL operation and the second input line 178 beingreserved for LEARN mode of operation. A LEARN button 180 is connected byline 202 to control circuit 536 and photo beam protectors 42, 46 areconnected to control circuit 536 by input line 172. On verification ofthe user's identify, optional authorization level, on valid formattingof user's instructions, control circuit 536 transmits suitableinstructions to motor 162 via line 160.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the preferred LEARN procedure for eithertransmitter 500 or 510 will be described. In step 540 a fingerprintdevice 504 is continuously polled for presence of a thumbpress. When athumbpress is received, control is transferred to step 542 whichdetermines if a LEARN mode of operation has been made active. Forexample, a dedicated button can be provided with either transmitter 500or 510 or the fingerprint device 504 can be programmed to recognize twoor more short pressure pulses or as unusually long sustained “pulse”applied to the fingerprint device as a pre-arranged method of triggeringa LEARN mode signal transmitted to the respective control circuit 502 or512. In any event, if the LEARN mode is made active, control istransferred to step 544 where the thumbprint is LEARNED, i.e., a digitalthumbprint data set representative of the thumbprint image is stored ina next available non-volatile memory location, with control then beingpassed to polling step 540.

If the LEARN mode is not active as determined by step 542, control istransferred to step 548 where determination is made as to whether theincoming fingerprint data constitutes, within tolerance limits, a“match” with a previously learned thumbprint data set. If a match,within tolerance is not observed, control is transferred to polling step540.

If the thumbprint data set is matched in step 548 to a previouslylearned thumbpress data set, then control is transferred to step 552where the match is identified to sub-portions of the control circuit 502or 512. Control is then transferred to step 554 in which the controlcircuit 502 or 512 outputs a radio frequency data signal indicating thata match has occurred. The radio frequency data signal, as mentionedabove, can indicate simply that a match has been made, can additionallyindicate the previously stored identity for the particular thumbprintdata set (e.g., user number 1, user number 2 or user number 3) and, inaddition, the thumbprint data set itself can be incorporated in the RFdata signal. In step 554, any required properly formatted instructionset is combined with the RF data signal, and such combination ispreferably made in rolling code format according to previously assignedU.S. Pat. No. 5,949,349. Control is then transferred to the polling step540.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the preferred LEARN mode of operation for thebarrier operator system of FIG. 11 is described. As indicated in FIG.13, the first step 600 the control circuit 536 polls input line 202 todetermine if the LEARN switch 180 is depressed. Upon detection of a keypress at switch 180, the LEARN mode is set within control circuit 536 asindicated by step 606 and is confirmed in step 608. As indicated above,the present invention provides heretofore unattainable convenience byrequiring a user to only execute a simple thumbpress to provide thenecessary individual data input to the barrier operator system. In theLEARN mode, the system expects a thumbpress at fingerprint device 102 ofFIG. 11 (causing a data transmission therefrom) concurrent withactuation with LEARN switch 180. Accordingly, program control istransferred to step 610 to confirm that thumbpress information has beenprocessed by fingerprint device 102 and the output data is beingcommunicated on line 178 to an appropriate input port of control circuit536 (see FIG. 11). As mentioned above, the present invention alsocontemplates that fingerprint data may be transmitted via a radiofrequency communications link and, in the absence of thumbpress datafrom the fingerprint device 102 in FIG. 11, control is transferred tostep 612 to determine if RF data is being received by antenna 144 and RFreceiver 146.

In order to carry out step 612, it is preferred that control device 536poll the input line 148 during the LEARN operation. If radio frequencydata and thumbpress data is not detected by control circuit 536, controlis transferred to step 616 to determine if a “LEARN mode timer” internalwithin control circuit 536 has expired. If so, control is transferred tostep 618 to clear the “LEARN mode” previously set. Control is thentransferred to step 600, thus requiring the user to release andre-actuate the LEARN switch 180 to initiate further processing of theLEARN mode.

If the control circuit 536 detects fingerprint data on line 178 in step610, control is transferred to step 622 which directs the incomingfingerprint data on line 178 to be stored into the next non-volatilememory location internal to control circuit 536. Step 622 containsroutines to verify that the thumbprint data on line 178 is properlyformatted and within a predetermined range of values. As an addedfeature, in step 622, previously stored fingerprint data can be comparedto determine if there is a match with the newly acquired fingerprintdata.

Assuming a thumbpress is not detected in fingerprint device 102 of thebarrier operator system shown in FIG. 11, control is transferred to step612, as indicate above. Assuming radio frequency data, proven to bevalid, is being received on line 148, control is transferred to step626.

In step 626, the incoming RF data signals are interrogated for validformat, it being generally preferred that the incoming coded informationbe provided in multiple portions (e.g., a rolling code portion and afixed code portion) according to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.5,949,349 which, as mentioned, is incorporated as if fully set forthherein. As previously indicated, in step 186 (see FIG. 5) thefingerprint data, i.e., the thumbpress data set, is combined withrolling code date, either the rolling code portion thereof or the fixedcode portion thereof. In step 622 the incoming radio frequency data isdisassembled and after various formatting tests and other verificationprocedures, the thumbprint data set information is identified and storedin the next open volatile memory location internal to control circuit536. The remaining rolling data is also stored in non-volatile memorywithin control circuit 536, either with the disassembled thumbpress dataset, or in a separate memory location.

The LEARN mode is then cleared and program control is transferred tostep 608 for confirmation. In normal operation, control is thentransferred to the polling step 600.

Turning now to FIG. 14, NORMAL (i.e., non-LEARN) operation of thebarrier operator system 530 of FIG. 11 will now be described. It shouldbe understood that the NORMAL operation indicated in FIG. 14 isconcurrently active with the LEARN procedure shown in FIG. 13.Accordingly, in step 630 the determination is appropriately made todetermine if the LEARN mode has been “set”, i.e., made active. A “true”response in step 630 indicates that the LEARN switch 180 has beendepressed as indicated in step 600 (see FIG. 13) and the LEARN mode hasaccordingly been set in step 606 (also shown in FIG. 13). If the LEARNmode has been determined to have been set in step 630, a LEARN mode flaginternal to the control circuit is continuously polled until it isdetermined that the LEARN mode is no longer active.

Control is then transferred to step 634 to determine if a user iscarrying out a thumbpress operation. In step 634 the thumbpress beingdetected can come from a variety of sources, including the fingerprintdevice in the barrier operator system 530 shown in FIG. 11, the mobiletransmitter 100 (either installed in a vehicle or hand held) or the wallmounted transmitter 120 shown in FIG. 3. If the thumbpress is beingcarried out by an RF transmitter, RF data verification andidentification according to step 626 (see FIG. 13) is carried out withinstep 634.

A thumbpress detected in step 634 indicates that a thumbpress data setis being sent to barrier operator system 530. In step 636 determinationis made as to whether the received fingerprint data, within tolerancelimits, matches one of the learned fingerprint data sets stored innon-volatile memory in control circuit 536. A match in step 636indicates that, according to biometric identification principles, theidentity of an authorized has been confirmed with a high level ofconfidence. The user's control request is then transferred to step 638to perform am appropriate change in operator state internal to controlcircuit 536. This in turn triggers internal routines to send anappropriate control signal on line 160 to motor 162. In addition, instep 638 it is preferred that a flag be set within control circuit 536to ignore the photo beam protectors 42, 46. If desired, step 638 couldbe modified so as to allow the photo beam protectors 42, 46 to continueto operate autonomously to provide a permissive signal, in absence of ablocking signal, or a blocking signal on line 172 to control circuit536.

Control is then transferred to step 642 to wait until the thumbpress isreleased from the fingerprint device. In step 642, a user's command iscarried out when thumb pressure is relieved from the fingerprint devicebeing actuated. If desired, radio frequency transmitted requests can beset at the transmitter to repeat a limited predetermined number oftimes, prove insufficient to ensure that a properly operatingtransmitter/receiver set are able to carry out the necessary radiofrequency communications. Alternatively, data can be continuouslytransmitted from the radio frequency transmitter remote to the barrieroperator system. Control is then transferred to step 644 which clearsthe “ignore protector” flag and control is thereafter passed to thepolling step 630.

As mentioned above, it is contemplated that NORMAL operation of thebarrier operator system can also be commended via remotely transmittedsignals. As indicated in FIG. 1 the signals can come from a mobiletransmitter, either resident within a vehicle or hand held, acommunication panel located on the outside of the garage structure or awall-mounted communication panel located within the garage or house towhich the garage is associated.

Referring now to FIG. 15, NORMAL operation of the barrier operatorreceiver of FIG. 11 will now be described. In a first step 650, incomingline 148 in FIG. 11 is continuously polled to determine if an RF datasignal is being received at control circuit 536. Upon detecting that RFdata is present on the line 148 and received in the control circuit 536,control is transferred to a step 652 to separate the combinedfingerprint data and remainder of the rolling data. In a step 654 thefingerprint data portion is analyzed to determine if it matches previousthumbprint data sets stored in non-volatile memory in circuit 536. Wehave contemplated that, in step 654 the criteria for a match betweendata sets does not require complete identity of data but rathercontemplates that some tolerance, i.e., some degree of non-identitybetween the newly detected thumbpress data set and the previously storedthumbpress data set(s). If a match is not detected in the step 654,control is transferred to the polling step 650.

Upon indicating that a match has been detected in the step 654, controlis transferred to the step 656 where the so-called “rolling data”, i.e.,the remainder of the rolling code data transmitted, is deemed asacceptable for the data sets previously learned, and stored within thecontrol circuit 536. Preferably, in the step 656 a matching operation iscarried out for the rolling data, comparing the incoming rolling dataset to previously stored device data sets. As previously mentioned, itis generally preferred that each unit sending instructions to thebarrier operator system 530 include or generate a code which identifiesthe type and optionally also the unique identify of the sending device.

In a step 658 the device type data portion of the rolling data isinterrogated to determine if the device is wall-mounted. An example of awall mounted-device was described above with respect to FIG. 3. It isassumed that any necessary validation of the device type data has beenpreviously carried out in the step 656. If the sending device isdetermined to be wall mounted, i.e., located internal to the garagestructure, the ignore obstacle detector flag is set in a step 660 andcontrol is then passed to a step 662, otherwise control is transferreddirectly to step 662. In the step 662 the validity and optional level ofauthority of the user is determined with a high degree of confidence. Inthe step 662 the user's request is converted into an appropriate changeof state of the operator as determined by the control circuit 536 andthe necessary control signals are sent on the line 160 to the motor 162(see FIG. 11). In the step 664 further operation is halted until the RFdata signal has ended. Control is then passed to the step 666 in whichthe ignore obstacle detector flag is cleared and control is thereafterpassed to the polling step 650.

As has been noted above, the garage door operator control systemaccording to principles of the present invention includes provisions forlearning, i.e., recognizing and saving various types of information,including individual user's identity (via biometric information) anddevice information, (both by type and by individual device identity).Certain procedures have been described for carrying out the LEARN mode.In addition to these, consideration has been given to the followingmethods of learning critical information, according to principles of thepresent invention.

As a first method, enablement of the LEARN mode is automaticallyestablished upon initial contact with the wall control unit or otherpreviously designated device. Alternatively, the LEARN mode can beenabled upon the first contact with a recognized serial port device.

As a second general method for initiating LEARN mode, the first personaccessing the transmitter with a thumbpress is designated as the keyuser who identifies other people to be LEARNED by the system, bypressing a dedicated button and placing their finger onto thefingerprint device.

As a third learning method, the LEARN mode can be set upon initialbidirectional communication with the supervisory control circuit via aradio frequency link. The LEARN mode can be initiated from the remotetransmitter device by sending an initial LEARN code to the supervisorycontrol circuit in the receiver unit.

As a fourth learning mode, a special learning session is instituted uponentering a special dealer code into the supervisory control circuit. Inthis learning method, the control circuit is programmed to await thenext user to access the system, automatically entering the useridentification data in the aforedescribed LEARN modes of operation.

The drawings and the foregoing descriptions are not intended torepresent the only forms of the invention in regard to the details ofits construction and manner of operation. Changes in form and in theproportion of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalents, arecontemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient; andalthough specific terms have been employed, they are intended in ageneric and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes oflimitation, the scope of the invention being delineated by the followingclaims.

1. A rolling code responsive movable barrier operator system forcontrolling access to a secure area comprising: a fingerprintcommunicating unit disposed outside the secure area and remote from abarrier movement operator inside the secure area, the fingerprintcommunicating unit comprising: a fingerprint sensor disposed outside thesecure area which generates finger print code representative of a fingerprint and a signal representative of the fingerprint; a transmittercontroller which combines the finger print code representing thefingerprint with a separate rolling access code to provide a changingcombined authorization code and a changing combined authorization codesignal representative of the changing combined authorization code, whichseparate rolling access code is configured to effect access to thesecured area by active communication with a rolling code acceptanceapparatus and, which separate rolling access code changes as a result ofeach combined signal transmission in accordance with a predeterminedalgorithm to produce the changing combined authorization code andchanging combined authorization code signal which is representative ofthe separate rolling access code and the finger print code; atransmitter which emits, prior to verification that a sensed fingerprint is from an authorized user, the changing combined authorizationcode signal representative of a sensed fingerprint from the fingerprintsensor and the separate rolling access code; and the barrier movementoperator comprising: a receiver inside the secure area which receivesthe changing combined authorization code signal representative of theseparate rolling access code and the sensed fingerprint, the receiverhaving a learning mode in which a portion of the combined authorizationcode signal which is representative of the sensed fingerprint emitted bythe transmitter is received by the barrier movement operator and storedin a memory thereof; a fingerprint circuit disposed inside the securearea and responsive to the received changing combined authorization codesignal, the fingerprint circuit for decoding the portion of the changingcombined authorization code signal to identify the portion of thechanging combined code signal representing the sensed fingerprint andfor determining whether the portion of the signal representing thesensed fingerprint is representative of an authorized user, the fingerprint circuit effective for receiving the changing combinedauthorization code signal, separating the portion of the receivedchanging combined authorization code signal representative of the sensedfingerprint from the separate rolling access code, and reading thestored signal representative of the sensed finger print to verifyauthorized users without transmitting a signal to the transmitter; therolling code acceptance apparatus configured to determine whether theseparate rolling access code is acceptable after the fingerprint circuitverifies the authorized user; and a barrier operator circuit whichcommands a barrier to assume a particular position when the sensedfingerprint is determined to be from an authorized user and the separaterolling access code is determined to be acceptable.
 2. A movable barrieroperator system according to claim 1 wherein the fingerprint sensorcomprises an optical fingerprint sensor.
 3. A movable barrier operatorsystem according to claim 2 wherein the optical fingerprint sensor is anelectroluminescent fingerprint sensor.
 4. A movable barrier operatorsystem according to claim 2 wherein the fingerprint sensor comprises acharged coupled device for generating a signal from which the signalrepresentative of the sensed fingerprint is produced.
 5. A movablebarrier operator system according to claim 1 wherein the transmittercomprises a radio frequency transmitter and the signal representative ofthe sensed fingerprint is a radio frequency signal.
 6. A movable barrieroperator system according to claim 1 wherein the transmitter comprises awall control.
 7. A movable barrier operator system according to claim 1further comprising a memory associated with the fingerprint sensor andthe transmitter for storing information indicative of the fingerprint.8. A movable barrier operator system according to claim 1 wherein thefingerprint circuit compares a coded identification transmission foroperation of the barrier operator circuit.
 9. A rolling code responsivemovable barrier operator system for controlling access to a secure areacomprising: a fingerprint sensor disposed outside the secure area whichgenerates finger print code representative of a finger print and asignal representative of a fingerprint; a transmitter controller outsidethe secured area which combines the finger print code representing thefingerprint with a separate rolling access code to provide a changingcombined authorization code and changing combined authorization codesignal, which separate rolling access code is configured to effectaccess to the secured area by active communication with a rolling codeacceptance apparatus and which separate rolling access code changes inaccordance with a predetermined algorithm to produce the changingcombined authorization code and changing combined authorization codesignal as a result of each combined signal transmission; a transmitteroutside the secured area which emits the changing combined authorizationcode signal prior to verification that a sensed finger print is from anauthorized user and which changing combined authorization code signalincludes a signal representative of the sensed fingerprint from thefingerprint sensor and the separate rolling access code; a receiverinside the secure area which receives the changing combinedauthorization code signal representative of the sensed fingerprint andthe separate rolling access code, the receiver having a learning mode inwhich a portion of the changing combined authorization code signalrepresenting a fingerprint emitted by the transmitter is received by thereceiver and stored in a memory; a fingerprint circuit disposed insidethe secure area and responsive to the received changing combinedauthorization code signal which decodes the portion of the changingcombined authorization code signal to identify the signal representingthe sensed fingerprint and which determines whether the signalrepresenting the sensed fingerprint is representative of an authorizeduser, the finger print circuit effective for receiving the changingcombined authorization code signal, separating the received combinedsignal representative of the sensed fingerprint from the separaterolling access code, and reading the stored signal representative of afinger print to verify authorized users without transmitting a signal tothe transmitter; the rolling code acceptance apparatus inside thesecured area which determines whether the separate rolling access codeis acceptable after the fingerprint circuit verifies the authorizeduser; and a barrier operator circuit inside the secured area whichcommands a barrier to assume a particular position when the fingerprintis determined to be from an authorized user and the separate rollingaccess code is determined to be acceptable.
 10. A method for controllinga moveable barrier operator, the method comprising: generating a signaland code representative of a sensed fingerprint from a fingerprintsensor disposed outside the secure area; with a transmitter controlleroutside the secured area, combining the code representing the sensedfingerprint with a separate rolling access code to provide a changingcombined authorization code and changing combined authorization codesignal which includes the signal representative of the sensed fingerprint and the separate rolling access code, which separate rollingaccess code is configured to effect access to the secured area by activecommunication with a rolling code acceptance apparatus and whichseparate rolling access code changes in accordance with a predeterminedalgorithm to produce the changing combined authorization code signalwhich changes with each encoded signal transmission and which separaterolling access code changes as a result of each combined signaltransmission in accordance with a predetermined algorithm to produce thechanging combined authorization code signal; emitting with a transmitteroutside the secured area, prior to verification that a sensed fingerprint is from an authorized user, the changing combined authorizationcode signal representative of the sensed fingerprint from thefingerprint sensor and the separate rolling access code; receiving thechanging combined authorization code signal representative of the sensedfingerprint and separate rolling access code with a receiver inside thesecured area, the receiver having a learning mode in which the signalrepresenting a fingerprint emitted by the transmitter is received by thebarrier movement operator and stored in a memory; determining whether aportion of the changing combined authorization code signal representingthe sensed fingerprint is representative of an authorized user with afingerprint circuit disposed inside the secure area, the finger printcircuit responsive to the received changing combined authorization codesignal for decoding the changing combined authorization code signal toidentify the signal representing the sensed fingerprint, the fingerprint circuit effective for receiving a finger print identifying signalrepresentative of the sensed finger print, separating the receivedcombined signal representative of the sensed fingerprint from theseparate rolling access code, and reading the stored signalrepresentative of a finger print to verify authorized users withouttransmitting a signal to the transmitter; determining whether theseparate rolling access code is acceptable after the fingerprint circuitverifies the authorized user to effect access to the secured area withthe rolling code acceptance apparatus inside the secured area; andcommanding a barrier operator to assume a particular position with abarrier operator circuit when the sensed fingerprint is determined to befrom an authorized user and the separate rolling access code isdetermined to be acceptable.
 11. A method according to claim 10 whereinthe fingerprint sensor comprises an optical fingerprint sensor.
 12. Amethod according to claim 11 wherein the optical fingerprint sensor isan electroluminescent fingerprint sensor.
 13. A method according toclaim 10 wherein the fingerprint sensor comprises a charged coupleddevice for generating a signal from which the signal representative ofthe sensed fingerprint is produced.
 14. A method according to claim 10wherein the transmitter comprises a radio frequency transmitter and thesignal representative of the sensed fingerprint is a radio frequencysignal.